A The Volvo estate is a good choice. The 1.9 litre diesel engine is economical, it does 44.8mpg (combined cycle), is a relatively low group 9 to insure and has a reputation for reliability.
Also consider the Skoda Octavia diesel estate. For around £3,000 you could find a slightly newer example than the Volvo. A 1998 S-registration 1.9TD GLX comes in on budget. It does 52.3mpg (combined) and has the benefit of air-conditioning. And finally take a look at a Ford Mondeo diesel estate. They are plentiful, roomy and good value. Your £3,000 budget will get you a 2000 W 1.8i GLX turbodiesel with air-conditioning. Fuel economy and insurance will both be similar to the Volvo’s.
Q After just over a year, the wiper blades on my Toyota Corolla started to scrape the windscreen and seemed stiff and rigid. I had them replaced but a few months later the problem returned and they now make a horrible juddering noise when they slide across the windscreen. What should I do? — JQ from Exeter
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A When comparatively young blades judder and screech the first thing you should do is give the screen a thorough clean.
It’s not enough to rely on the screenwash or the occasional wipe-over when you wash the car. You need to use a specific product such as Comma’s Glass Cleaner (£3.99 for 750ml at most car accessory stores or contact Comma on 01474 564 311, www.commaoil.com for stockists) which removes unseen traffic film, much of which will be of an oily diesel nature and can cause the blades to catch and stick.
The other thing to consider is the quality and durability of your blades as some rubbers will deteriorate more quickly than others. The sun’s UV rays affect the blades’ rubber compound, making then harder and more prone to skipping and squeaking.
In independent testing, the Valeo Silencio blades did extremely well, a key feature being the wear indicator that reacts to sunlight, gradually changing colour to tell you when a new blade is needed. The price depends on size and where you buy them. Check in Yellow Pages for your nearest motor factor. We think you should be able to get them for less than £10 for the pair.
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Q Is there somewhere I can get advice on buying a year-old car from a dealer? I am looking to replace an S-reg Rover. I am considering a Ford Focus, among others. I am a widow and feel vulnerable to overpricing. — GM from Edinburgh
A Times Online has a dedicated section that includes tips on buying and selling cars: see www.driving.timesonline.co.uk and click on Buying Guide.
Jason Dawe, the Sunday Times used car expert, has released a DVD offering advice on buying and selling cars. It’s available for £6.99 excluding postage at www.jasondawe.com.
There is also plenty of advice on the AA website (www.theaa.com), which includes a free valuation of your existing car.
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When dealing with a garage it may be worth taking a friend along or taking someone’s recommendation on a dealer who has provided good service in the past. Make sure you speak to a few dealers and compare prices and part-exchange deals. Doing it over the phone can save time and hassle.
Q I have a Ford Fiesta 1.4 Ghia that is 10 months old. The gearlever is so stiff I have trouble switching from reverse to first gear — sometimes I can hardly move it. My Ford dealer has checked the car but can’t find anything untoward. Am I doing something wrong? — MB from Chepstow
A This is not unknown and is usually due either to lack of lubrication because the oil level is low or simply poor quality oil. Your dealer should start by changing the oil and examining the old lubricant carefully for signs of metallic sediment, which could mean a gear or bearing being worn away inside the gearbox.
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At this age the car is well inside its warranty period. If you have no luck with your dealer we’d suggest you call Ford’s customer relationship centre on 0845 841 1111 and log the problem with it, because if there are internal troubles with the gearbox it could ultimately mean a complete change or rebuild and a big warranty bill.
Q I have a T-reg Mercedes C 180 manual estate with 120,000 miles on the clock. It’s in good condition and I want to sell but have had vastly different quotes on what it’s worth. What do you think? — MB from London
A Assuming the car is the Classic trim level (the entry-level option) we suggest you offer it at £2,995, or if you don’t mind haggling with potential customers try it at £3,495 with some room for manoeuvre. A dealer would ask about £3,800 for the car, with warranty.
If you were to put the car into an auction you would probably get about £2,200, and a dealer taking it in part exchange will offer you about the same figure. If your car is the higher specification Elegance model then add about £750 to all these figures.
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E-mail your questions for our experts to carclinic@sunday-times.co.uk or write to Car Clinic, Driving, The Sunday Times, 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1ST. Please give a daytime telephone number. We cannot send personal replies or deal with every letter. Please do not send original documents or SAEs. Advice is offered without legal responsibility.